Resilient wheel.



H. F. BUSHNG.

RESILIENT WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED JuLYgl. 1913.

Patented Apr. 4, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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MIL-

nvembofc H. F. BUSHONG.

RESILIENT WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED JULYZI. i913.

1,177,925. Y Patented Apr. 4.1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J ,.f. @M47 @gg-mv@ H. F. BUSHONG.

RESIUENT WHEEL.

APPLICATION Hummm/21.1913.

1,177,925. Patented Apr. 4, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

HARRY F. BUSHONG, OF SHERWOOD, OREGON.

nnsininiv'r WHEEL.

Speccaton of Letters Patent.

Patenten apr. e, raie.

l Application filed July 21, 1913. Serial No. 780,167.

Sherwood, Oregon, have invented certain 1 new and useful Improvements in Resilient l/Vheels, of which the following is a specification.

rlhis invention relates to improvements in resilient wheels.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide an improved resilient wheel. Second, to provide an improved resilient wheel in which all the spring or resilient members are of the simple, economical, well-known coiled spring type. Third, to provide an iniproved resilient wheel in which the resiliency does not materially vary as the wheel revolves. Fourth, to provide an improvel resilient wheel which serves as an effective rebound or shock absorber. Fifth, to provide an improved resilient wheel which is well adapted for use as a driving wheel for motor vehicles, and one in which the traction load is uniformly distributed throughout the wheel and does not materially affect the load carrying or shock absorbing resiliency. Sixth, to provide an improved resilient wheel which is adapted for use either as a driving wheel or as a front or undriven wheel of a motor vehicle. Seventh, to provide an improved resilient wheel in which the load is substantially uniformly distributed throughout the wheel. Eighth, to provide an Vimproved resilient wheel which has a nished attractive appearance and does not vary greatly in appearance from common types of motor vehicle wheel. Ninth, to provide an improved resilient wheel which is comparatively simple and economical in structure, of great durability and capable of standing verv severe shocks and strains.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description'to follow.

I accomplish the objects of mv invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. i

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims. f

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invent-ion is clearly illustrated in the accompanving drawing forming a part of this specification, in which: Y

Figure I is a side elevation' of a wheel embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. II is a detail side elevation with the outer rim flange removed, partly in vertical section, on a line corresponding to line 2 2 of Fig. VI: Fig. III is a detail radial section on a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Figs. I and II. Fig. IV is a detail section on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. II, the spring supporting rods or members being shown partly in full lines. Fig. V is a detail section on a line corresponding to line 5-5 of Fig. III. Fig. VI is a detail section on a line corresponding to 6 6 of Fig. II. Fig. VII is an inverted perspective view of one of the supporting blocks for the spring supporting rods. Fig. VIII is an inverted perspective view of one of the securing saddles for the spring supporting rods. Fig. IX is a detail section on a line corresponding to line 9-9 of Fig. V, showing the manner of attaching the block supporting lugs. Fig. X is a detail section on a line corresponding to line lO-IO of Fig. II, showing the coacting relation of the support members 21, the spring supporting. rods ormembers and the bearing members.y Fig. XI is a detail section on a line correspondingv to line ll-ll of Fig. II, showing the manner of securing the support members 21 to the inner rim. Fig. XII is a perspective view of one of the support members 21. Fig. XIII is a detail side elevation of one of the support members, showing the manner in which the springs act thereon, one of the springs being shown slightly compressed. In the drawing similar reference .characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectionall views are taken-looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, the wheel shown is of the artillery tvpe in which the spokes 1 are secured in a flanged hub 2. The inner rim 3 is provided with outwardly projecting side flanges l, the flanges being preferably flat. as shown, and rigidly secured bv the rivets 5. The outer rim 6 is provided with side flanges 7 and 8 embracing and having telescoping engagement with the flanges fl of the inner rim. See Fig. III. The flange 8 is removable, while the flange 7 is keved or secured to the rim 6 by the lugs 9 which engage suitable holes 9 in the rim asV shown in Figs. III'and V. The outer rim is adapted to receive a suitable tread, the structure illustrated being adapted fora cushion tire 10. The flange 8 rods are secured to the outer is shouldered at 11 to engage the rim and is secured to the flange 7 by bolts 12. the flange 8 is removed, the tire 10 may be removed and also the parts within the flanges are exposed.

A series of blocks 13 are provided for sup porting the rods or spring supporting members 1&1. rFhese blocks 13 are arranged on the outer rim in a spaced relation, the rim being provided with supporting lugs 15 between which the blocks are arranged. The blocks have vertical slots 16 adapted to receive the ends of the spring supporting members or rods 14, extending from their outer ends. The rods 14 are held in place in the blocks by means of the U-shaped saddle members 17, which are slipped upon the blocks outside of the rods, the blocks being shouldered at 18 to receive the saddles. The side arms of the saddles are engaged by the lugs 1, that is, they slip between the lugs and the blocks. The bolts 12 are passed through the blocks and flanges, locking all the parts together. The rods or spring sup; porting members 14 are thus supported in a chord-like relation to one rim and in a tangentfal relation to the other. In the structure illustrated, the spring supporting rim. They may, however, be connected to the inner rim. The spring supporting rods 14 are preferably arranged in a series of sets, the structure illustrated being provided with two in yeach set, and they are also arranged in a consecutive series about the wheel. In the structure there are eight sets, which I find to be a convenient and satisfactory number for automobile wheels between twentyeight and thirty-two inches in diameter.

I desire to point out that I have not in the accom an fino drawinv attein ted to mainb D allel fingers tain the relative proportion of parts as the drawing is merely for illustrative purposes and to make clear my invention rather than to show such relative proportion of parts.

0n the inner rim are radially disposed supporting members 21 having spaced par- 22 locsely embracing the spring supporting rods 14 for free movement laterally and longitudinally thereof. Platelike bearing members 23, perforated to receive the spring supporting rods 14, are arranged on the rods for longitudinal movement thereon, one at each side of each of the support members 21. The coiled springs 24 are arranged on the rods with one end engaging these bearing members and the other the supporting blocks 13 which are tapered inwardly so that their faces are at right an`- gles tothe supporting rods and form suitable seats in the ends of the springs. The bearing members are yieldingly supported and the supports 21 between the same are in turn yieldingly supported, thus yieldingl'y connecting the inner rim with .the outer.

The spring supporting rods are provided with centrally dispcsed stop collars 25 againsty which bearing members are yieldingly supported by means of the springs, thus effectively supporting the inner rim in a centered relation to the outer rim. With the parts thus formed and arranged, they are simple to produce and Very easily assembled or disassembled, and, when assembled, the strain thereon is minimized. The springs are all effectively supported and are of th thus arranged, I not only secure a very de-r sirable resilient wheel for load carrying pur-- poses, but also one well adapted as atraction or driving wheel for motor vehicles, the traction load being uniformly distributed throughout the wheel and not materially affecting the load carrying resiliency. Further, the load carrying resiliency remains constant as the wheel revolves.

The support members 21 serve as stops as they engage the rim .ifrthe springs are compressed to a predetermined extent thus preventing injury to the springs.

My improved resilient wheel is also well Y adapted for and serves as an effective re- Vbound or shock absorber, the parts being disposed so that at least a part of the springs are always in position to resist rebound action of the wheel without any lost motion.

By arrangingthe parts as I have shown, my improved wheel is adapted for a front or undriven wheel as wellas Vfor a driving or traction wheel without any change of the parts; also the parts are not placedr under strain in reversing `the-wheel. The load is uniformly' distributed throughout the wheel, which is highly desirable as this permits theY use of spring units of less strength and tension than would be required if it were necessary for any ene or a small part ofthe units to receive or sustain the major part 'of the load.

My improvements may` be embodied in motor vehicle wheels of the types commonly employed without greatly changing or de-Y tracting from their appearance.

My resilient wheel is, as stated, very simple and economical in structure and is capable of withstanding severe shocks and strains without injury.- The flanges on e common coiled type. With the parts iio the inner and outer rims can be readilyY fitted so that dust and water are effectively excluded fromV the mechanism within and the mechanism is noiseless in its operation.

I have illustrated and described my im# pro-ved resilient wheel in the form in which Ihave embodied the same and, while I am well aware that Vconsiderable variation in structure is possible without departing from i my' invention. I have not attempted to illus-j trate or describe such variation, as I believe the same will be readily understood and readily embodied by tho-'se skilled'in,

the art to which tbisinvention relates, as circumstances or conditions may require. I desire, however, to be understood as claiming my invention specifically in the form illustrated, as `well as broadly within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1-. In a resilient wheel the combination of the hub, spokes, and an inner rim, outwardly projecting side flanges on said inner rim, an outer rim, inwardly projecting side flanges on said outer rim embracing and having telescoping engagement with said flanges on said inner-rim, one at least of said flanges of said outer rim being removable, inwardly tapered spaced rod supporting blocks en saidv outer rim having slots in their opposed sides extending from their outer ends, said outer rim being provided with internal lugs between which said blocks are disposed, spring supporting rods arranged with their ends engaged in said slrts in said blocks, retaining` saddles for said rods embracing` said blccks on the outer side of said rods, said blocks being shouldered at their, outer ends to receive said saddles, the arms of the saddles being engaged by said block supporting lugs, radially disposed support members on said inner rim having spaced parallel fingers loosely embracing said rods for free movement laterally and longitudinally thereof, plate-like bearing members for said support members perforated to receive said rods and mounted for longitudinal movement thereon, one at each side of each of said support members, stop collars for said bearing members disposed centrally on said rods, coiled springs arranged on said rods with one end engaging said bearing members and the other said rod supporting blocks, whereby the bearing members are yieldingly supported, and bolts for securing the removable flange disposed through said supporting blocks and fixed flange.

2. In a resilient wheel the combination of the hub, spokes, and an inner rim, outwardly projecting side flanges on said inner rim, an outer rim, inwardly projecting side Y flanges on said outer` rim having telescoping engagement with said flanges on said inner rim, one at least of said flanges being removable, inwardly tapered spaced rod supporting blocks on said outer rim having slots in their opposed sides extending from their outer ends, spring supporting rods arranged with their ends engaged in said slots in said blocks, radially disposed support said rods for free movement laterally anc longitudinally thereof, plate-like bearin members for said support members per members on said inner rim havingI spaced parallel fingers loosely embracing,

forated to receive said rods and mounted for lcngitudinal movement thereon, one ateach side of each of said support members, stop collars for said bearing members disposed centrally on said rods, coiled springs -arranged on said rods with one end engaging saidbearing members and the other said rod supporting blocks, whereby the bearing members are yieldingly supported, and bolts for securing the removable flange disposed through said supporting blocks and fixed flange. i v i 3. ln a resilient wheel the combination of the hub, spokes, and an inner rim, outwardlyprojecting side flanges on said inner rim, an outer rim, inwardly projecting side flanges on said outer rim having telescop ing engagement with said flanges on said inner rim, one at least of said flanges being removable` spring supporting rods disposed in chord-like relation to said outer rim and secured thereto, support members on said inner rim associated with said rods for free movement laterally and longitudinally thereof, bearing members for said support members, mounted forlongitudinal movement on said rods, one at each sideY of each of said support members, and coiled springs arranged on said rods with one end engaging said bearing members and the other said rod supporting blocks, whereby the bearing vmembers are vieldingly supported.

4. In a resilient wheel the combination of the hub, spokes, and an inner rim. an outer rim, inwardly tapered spaced rod supi-orting blocks removably secured to said rim and having slots in their opposed sides eX- tending from their outer ends. spring supporting rods arranged with their ends engaged in said blocks, retaining saddles for said rods embracing said blocks on the outer sides of said rods. said blocks being shouldered at their outer ends to receive said saddles, radially disposed supports on said inner rim having spaced parallel fingers loosely embracing said rods for free movement laterally and longitudinally thereof, bearing members Jfor said support members perforated to receive said rods and mounted for longitudinal movement thereon. one at each side of each of said support members, stops for said bearing members disposed centrally on said rods, and coiled springs arranged on said rods with one end engaging said bearing members and the other said Arod supporting blocks. whereby the bearing members are vieldingly supported and held normally against said stops.

5. In a resilient wheel the combination of the hub, spokes. and an inner rim. an outer rim` inwardly tapered spaced rod supporting blocks removably secured to said rim A nd having slots in their opposed sides eX- ',tending from their outer ends, spring supporting rods arranged with their ends engaged in said blocks, radially disposed supe ports on said inner rim having spaced parallel lingers loosely embracing said rods for free movement laterally and longitudinally thereof, bearing members for said. support members perforated to receive said rods and mounted for longitudinal movement thereon, one at each side of each of said support members, stops for said bearing members disposed centrally on said rods, and coiled springs arranged on said rods with one end engaging said bearing members and the other said rod supporting blocks, whereby the bearing members are yieldingly supported and held normally against said stops.

6. In a resilient wheel, the combination with a hub, an inner rim and spokes extending between and fixed to said hub and rim, of an outer rim spaced from Said inner rim, rods disposed in a chord-like relation to the outer rim and rigidly secured thereto at their ends, radially disposed support members rigidly mounted on the inner rim centrallv between the ends of said rods and longitudinally slotted to receive said rods, permitting free radial movement'of said support members and free movement thereof longitudinally of said rods, and coiled springs arranged on said rods at each side support members rigidly mounted on said inner'rim centrally between the rod supports and slotted longitudinally to' embrace said rods for free radial movement and free movement longitudinally of the rods, and

coiled springs arranged on said rods on both sides of said support members, the movement of sald support members relative to said rods being normally sustained by the said springs. Y

In witness whereof,l I have hereunto set' my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY F. BUSI-IONG. [n s] Witnesses:

MARGARET L. GLASGOW, M. PHINA VVooDRUFr.

(logies of this patent may be :ibtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissionerof Patents. 'i i Washington, D. C.

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